(Norraine
Swanby, Musical Director & Conductor of the Durban Men’s Choir)
The Durban Men’s Choir will present their
annual Supper Theatre at the Kloof
Civic Hall from November 28 to 30.
The Durban Men’s Choir has been in
existence for 40 years and over this period it has entertained and given much
joy to all who have listened to and watched the choir perform. The DMC is a non-profit organization that
consists, on average, of 38 members who
are all amateurs from all walks of life. The choir’s Musical Director and
Conductor is the multi-talented Norraine Swanby, the accompanist is Ryan
Canning and the Assistant Conductor is Peter Spence.
Since the inception of the choir in 1971,
about 450 men have passed through its ranks. There have been 17 accompanists
(the current pianist having been with DMC for 12 of the 40 years), but only two
musical directors, the founding MD being Dr John Pauw.
Some 800 live concerts have been presented
which equates to about 15,000 songs performed. These have taken place from as
far south as Cape Town to Cologne (Germany) in the north and from Richards Bay
in the east to San Francisco in the west. There have been numerous TV
performances and a total of nine albums produced. The DMC currently offers six
CD’s.
The DMC currently performs 20 to 25
concerts each year in a variety of venues. The highlight of the year is its
three-night dinner theatre format where the choir performs a myriad of popular
items together with a smattering of Christmas songs and carols. A three-course
meal is prepared, dished and served by the men before they get on stage and
perform.
Although the Durban Men’s Choir is a
non-profit organization, income is required to cover operating costs, music and
the production of CD’s. The choir members give of their time and talents for
the love of music and the enjoyment their singing gives to others. The Supper Theatre is the Durban Men’s
Choir’s principal fundraiser which allows for the continued existence of the
Choir.
Renditions of popular songs such as The Rhythm of Life, a Queen Medley as
well as evergreens such as O Holy Night
are performed at Supper Theatre and a
thoroughly enjoyable evening is experienced by all.
Supper
Theatre runs at the Kloof Civic Hall from November
28 to 30. Tickets R125 (November 28) and R135 (November 29) and R145 (November
30) include a three-course meal. A cash bar is available.
For tickets contact: David Andrews on 071
126 9592 or 031 705 1937.